Most Americans trust and respect police officers. If you think that you will be able to go into a courtroom and overcome this ingrained belief you are, most of the time, dead wrong. Americans do not like drunk drivers. If you think that you can win an OVI case by calling the police officer a liar, you will probably lose. One of the biggest mistakes an attorney can make is to position your case so that the jury must choose between believing the officer's version of events or your version of events. Jury verdict research suggest a modified approach.The officer...

A very common observation by law enforcement in an impaired driving investigation is the presence of "slurred speech." Experience trial counsel will look to the totality of evidence to combat the damning accusation of slurred speech.Many traffic stops are now captured on video tape. As the quality of the recordings has improved we are often able to hear exactly what the officer is hearing. Reasonable people can disagree as to whether or not the speech on a video is "slurred" and whether or not it was fair for the officer to describe the speech as slurred. Another, more subtle method...

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, O.R.C. 2903.06, is a crime that results from the death of another caused by the defendant's operating a vehicle while impaired (a violation of R.C. 4511.19) or while driving negligently or recklessly. The statute encompasses driving an automobile recklessly or negligently (called Vehicular homicide) whether or not alcohol played a part in the death. Often, defendants are indicted for multiple counts, with additional counts for each victim of the accident.Under the reckless section of the statute you will be found guilty of a third degree felony which rises to a second degree felony if the driver is...

If you are involved in an accident while driving under the influence in Ohio you face very harsh penalties.
Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, O.R.C. 2903.06, is a crime that results from the death of another caused by the defendant’s operating a vehicle while impaired (a violation of R.C. 4511.19) or while driving negligently or recklessly. The statute encompasses driving an automobile recklessly or negligently (called Vehicular homicide) whether or not alcohol played a part in the death. Often, defendants are indicted for multiple counts, with additional counts for each victim of the accident.Under the reckless section of the statute you will be...

In possibly the best article you will ever read on portable breath testing, DUI attorneys Justin McShane and Josh Lee describe the portable breath test devises which are used by the Ohio State Highway Patrol as a "potentially dangerous, non-specific and non-selective measures at roadside." You can find the article HERE and in the Voice for the Defense.
The Problems of Fuel Cell Devices1.1. Lack of Specificity20 for EthanolAs PBTs are used for purportedly forensic purposes, their specificity for ethanol becomes a critical factor. The electrochemical detector is not specific for ethanol.21 Indeed, there is “much evidence to show” they are actually not...

There are two ways to be charged with OVI (drunk driving) in Ohio. Often, both are charged for reasons that will be addressed shortly. First, let's explore what the two charges mean."Per Se" Offenses: per se is a latin phrase meaning "in itself." It is also a legal term of art defined in Black's Law Dictionary as "taken alone...

WE CAN HELP IF YOU ARE ARRESTED ON BASE
We have a former J.A.G. officer on staff to help with military DUI/OVI cases. Located conveniently near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Charles M. Rowland II has successfully represented active-duty military, contractors, and civilian employees for over 15 years. He knows how to deal with issues of deployment, security clearances, loss of rank, loss of on-base driving privileges and issues related to out-of-state licenses. If you find yourself arrested for OVI in or near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and you will be required to appear in the United State Federal Court or the...

As blood testing becomes a more favored form of evidential testing in Ohio, attorneys must become familiar with flaws in the testing protocol which may create detriments to their clients. One such area for consideration is the way in which the blood specimen is handled from collection site to the property room to the Court.Most blood specimens are collected in Vacutainer tubes which contain pre-measured amounts of preservatives and anticoagulants. Mixing the specimen and the contents of the tube must be done in a prescribed manner involving the gentle inversion of the tube eight to ten times. The blood must...

Protecting Your Ohio Driver’s License After Your OVI Case
Dealing with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles after an OVI case can be a nightmare. So, you will want to avoid problems before they rear their ugly heads. Don't worry! You can make this as painless as possible by following these simple rules. We are here to serve you. Call us at 1-888-ROWLAND or (937)318-1DUI before a minor issues results in major problems.
1. Make sure the Ohio BMV knows how to reach you. The burden is upon you to notify them of any address change. Courts will accept their statement that...

The best way to avoid a DUI this holiday season is to think ahead.
I have been defending the accused drunk driver since 1995. Countless people have sat in my office lamenting the fact that they could have avoided the DUI charge by deciding to hail a cab, call a friend or waiting for their sober friend to drive them home. It is my belief that the solution to drunk driving as a societal problem involves focusing on the prevention of the drunk driving situation. Let's make things easier for a person to make a good decision. Here are some tips...